Forget everything you think you know about steak. Our one day in Kobe had one mission: to chase that mythic marbling, that infamous slab of beef that promises to melt away your doubts (and, let’s be honest, your budget). Kobe Beef is probably the most known thing from this city, and with good reason. It’s exquisite, delicious, and ultimately, worth every single penny.
Kobe Beef, Meat that Melt in Your Mouth
We sat at Kojyu Teppanyaki in Kobe’s downtown for the full, immersive experience. In front of us was a big stainless steel top—the main show where our chef would perform. Before the show began, the beef was presented to us, alongside a charming bronze statue of a bull. It is the mark that this restaurant is member of distribution of certified Kobe Beef. The chef unveiled the slab: a masterpiece of pink and white, fat marbled across the meat like veins of pure silk. This wasn’t just food; it was art designed to dissolve on the tongue.
Then, with the quiet precision of a maestro, our chef began the ritual. Every slice, every sear, was a moment of focused anticipation. We took our first bite of Kobe beef, feeling the soft meat literally melt in our mouths. Slice after slice was seared and served, accompanied perfectly by tender vegetables, eggplant, and sweet potato. With our hunger fully satiated and our taste buds humming, it was time for a change of pace.
Chasing Serenity at Nunobiki Herb Garden
With the flavor still lingering, we needed to cleanse our minds and our palates. Our feet took us skyward, chasing green serenity at the Nunobiki Herb Garden. We initially bought a one-way ticket for the ropeway, planning to walk down among the gardens. The moment we were at the top, however, we realized how foolish we had been to consider walking away from this view. Forget the walk. We immediately purchased the return ticket.
The panorama from here was spectacular—a sweeping, cinematic overlook of Kobe City, the bustling port, and even the distant airport. We grabbed a Doppel-Hirsch beer and a sausage from a small German-style stall and settled in. With a cold glass in hand, we sat, inhaling the crisp, herbal air as the golden hour light began its slow, majestic descent over Kobe City, painting the rooftops in amber.
Nearby, we found a fascinating spot: a fragrance museum. Inside, the atmosphere was hushed, like a quiet laboratory where scientists explore how to create and extract new scents. I walked among the glass containers with samples of their creations. Each quiet inhale carried a different story, a forgotten memory, a flicker of emotional response. It was a subtle, reflective counterpoint to the rush of the city—a perfect moment of pause.
Meriken Park: Kobe Under the Light
The sky was already dark when we arrived at our third and final stop: The Meriken Park near Kobe Port. It was a good thing, because Meriken Park is truly at its best when the lights come on. From the train station, we walked through the glittering downtown, passing the iconic Kobe Port Tower lit up as the city’s coastal landmark. We passed a still-crowded Starbucks and headed toward the famous BE KOBE sign. Luckily, not many people were there, allowing us to take pictures without much waiting.
Not long after, we were entertained by an impromptu light show from the nearby Kobe Maritime Museum. Light danced on the pointed steel mesh of the roof—a perfect, silent closure to our whirlwind one-day experience in Kobe.
